Connecticut observation wells; guidelines for network modification

The U.S. Geological Survey and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection are developing a baseline observation well network to assess the present status of groundwater storage and relate it to long-term conditions and to describe and characterize natural changes in groundwater storage in relation to climatic variations, topography, and hydrogeologic setting. An evaluation of the present network of 31 observation wells indicates it is not representative of climatic areas or major hydrologic units in the State. Several wells provide equivalent information and six can be discontinued. Network modifications, including deletion of some existing wells and the addition of 50 to 60 new observation wells are needed to meet network objectives. Fourteen existing wells that have long-term records should be retained as a basis for historical comparisons. (USGS)